Scott Calhoun of Rivendell looks for a shooting opportunity as Matthew Perry of Thetford tries to slow him down during their game in Thetford Thursday, December 19, 2013. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Purchase photo reprints »

Thetford — The Rivendell Academy boys basketball team ensured early in last night’s season opener at rival Thetford that its new coach would start off his career with a win.

The Raptors outscored the Panthers 14-5 in the first quarter en route to a 53-40 win.

Luke Bell scored 15 points, Josh Marshall had 12 and Nate Eastman scored 11 for Rivendell, which won in the debut for first-year coach Jeff Huntington, a 1,000-point scorer for Orford High in the 1980s.

Thetford outscored the Raptors in the second quarter, 15-14, but never fully caught up.

“Our defense was strong, but we struggled offensively and they pulled away,” said Panthers coach Blendon Salls, whose team fell to 0-2. “We missed a lot of bunnies, and they hit nine of their 10 foul shots in the fourth quarter.”

North Clarendon, Vt. — Omari Brown scored 20 for the Minutemen, who beat their Marble Valley League rivals.

Woodstock fell to 0-2.

Connor Fegard scored 20 and Dougie Avellino 10 for the Wasps, who host Hartford on Monday. Woodstock will offer $1 discounts to anyone who brings a non-perishable food item to the game.

Rutland 60, Hartford 41

Rutland — The Hurricanes had a satisfactory performance in the loss to the Raiders.

“We tied them in the first quarter, 5-5, and we were playing great,” said Hartford coach Steve Landon. “They pulled away with some free throws late, but it was much closer (than the final score might indicate).”

Cam Gaudette led the Canes with 18 points and Kiefer Harrelson had 11 for Hartford.

The Hurricanes travel to Woodstock on Monday.

Chelsea 66, S. Royalton 47

South Royalton — The Red Devils took advantage of Royals’ turnovers and a huge rebounding advantage in knocking off their Central Vermont League rivals.

Brandon Poulin scored 17 for Chelsea, while Nate Moore had eight for South Royalton and David Ballou and Keanan Thompson seven apiece.

The Royals (1-1) play at Danville on Saturday.

Randolph 61, Mt. Abraham 46

Randolph — Ross Caswell had 21 points as Randolph rolled in its season opener.

Down four at the half, 32-28, KUA took a one-point lead on three straight baskets from Duby Maduegbunam (12 points) and never trailed from there. With less than two minutes left, Salisbury tied the game at 50, but a few critical defensive stops by KUA sealed the win. Crew Ainge added 14 points for KUA, which plays Westminster for the championship today.

Girls Hoop

Oxbow 68, Twinfield 35

Bradford, Vt. — The Olympians erupted for 30 points in the first quarter on the way to an easy win over the Trojans.

Eight players scored at least five points for the O’s, led by Mikayla Hodge’s 12 and nine each from Lauren Tomlinson and Morgan Brill.

Oxbow led 42-14 at halftime.

The Olympians host neighboring rival Blue Mountain on Monday.

Union-32 41, Hartford 35

East Montpelier, Vt. — Megan Bennett led the Raiders with 11 points as Hartford fell to 0-2.

“It wasn’t a win, but we played better,” said first-year Hurricanes coach Bill Soule, whose team outscored Union-32 in the fourth quarter, 17-12. “We basically just ran out of time.”

The Canes play at Springfield High on Saturday against the host Cosmos in the first round of a h oliday tournament that will be completed the following weekend.

Sharon 40, Bellows Falls 39

Westminster, Vt. — The Phoenix led 34-13 after three quarters before the Terriers nearly stormed all the way back.

It was the first win of the year for Sharon (1-1), which was led by Suzie Moses (21 points) and Mallory Lloyd (13).

Sharon plays at Twin Valley on Monday.

Conant 55, Kearsarge 46

Jaffrey, n.h. — The Cougars were outscored at the free throw line, 24-3, as they fell to 2-3.

Kearsarge led by a point at halftime, 25-24, before surrendering momentum in the third quarter.

“They came out and hit a 3 right off the bat, kind of got us back on our heels,” said Kearsarge coach Kurt McCandless. “But the story of the game was the free-throw discrepancy. It was a physical game.”

Girls Hockey

Hanover 2, Berlin-Gorham 1

Berlin — Sophomore Ella Williams notched her first two varsity points as Hanover won its season opener.

“I thought our D played a really solid game,” Hanover coach John Dodds said. “Caroline Howe had a particularly good game. I was really pleased with Ella for her first varsity game.”

Katie Fenton made 10 saves in goal for the Marauders, who host Beekmantown (N.Y.) on Dec. 27th.

H.S. Wrestling

BF-Hartford Athletes Win at OV

Brandon, Vt. — The Bellows Falls-Hartford wrestling team traveled to Otter Valley High School on Wednesday to compete in a tri-meet with Otter Valley and Rutland. BFH defeated Rutland in the first meet 60-6, and Otter Valley in the second meet, 46-28.

The team travels to Granville (N.Y.) High School this Saturday to participate in the annual Granville Lion’s Club tournament.

Women’s College Hoop

Loyola 56, Dartmouth 52

Chicago — Dartmouth erased a 10-point halftime deficit and took a lead off an 18-2 run, but Loyola hit a late 3-pointer to give the Ramblers a victory over the Big Green.

Freshman Fanni Szabo led the Big Green with 19 points and hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 51 with 1:28 remaining, but Katie Faught nailed a 3 as the shot clock expired to give the Ramblers a late lead.

Trailing by two after a free throw by the Szabo, Dartmouth had an opportunity to tie the game after a missed shot by Ayrealle Beavers, but a turnover on the rebound forced the Green to foul. Beavers made both from the line to seal the contest.

Dartmouth freshman Katie Vareika finished with 14 points, shooting 5-of-10 from the field. Junior Lakin Roland added her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The Big Green shot 39 percent from the field, compared with 32 percent from the Ramblers.

Dartmouth also outrebounded Loyola, 45-33.

Dartmouth will return home to host its holiday tournament on Dec. 29-30. The Big Green will meet La Salle on the first night and then UMass the following night. Both Dartmouth games will begin at 7 p.m.